UK announces stronger controls on shark finning
Shark ‘finning’ is the practice of removing shark’s highly valuable fins and disposing of the carcasses at sea.
Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has announced strengthened regulations which will stop boats registered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from obtaining special permits allowing the removal of shark fins at sea. Scotland will simultaneously be announcing plans to cease issuing permits to their fleet. Any sharks caught by UK registered vessels will now have to be landed with the fin attached.
UK Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said:
“I want the UK to lead the way worldwide in helping to protect these vulnerable species. By stopping these permits we will ensure that the wasteful practice that sees fins cut from sharks and the bodies left at sea does not happen. We’ll also be able to gather more scientific information to help shark conservation by more easily seeing which sharks are being caught and where.
“I’ll be writing to the European Commission asking them to review legislation to ensure all sharks caught in European waters will be landed with their fins attached.”
Ali Hood is Director of the Conservation for the Shark Trust. She supported the move, saying:
“The Shark Trust was instrumental in the adoption of the first EU finning legislation and has long advocated for an end to the loophole which allows the provision of permits for the removal of shark fins at sea.
“The Trust strongly supports Mr Irranca-Davies for taking such a positive stance and ensuring UK vessels now adhere to the actual intention of the EU shark finning regulation - that no fins are removed at sea – a crucial step towards improving shark management and reducing the enforcement burden.
“The Shark Trust will continue to advocate for a full review of the EU Finning Regulation with the aim that all EU Vessels land sharks with fins naturally attached – the Trust applauds the Minister for taking the further step of formally requesting the Commission address this as a matter of urgency.”
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Page published: 12 October 2009